"Cruise-In" to Downtown Lincolnton May 1st

Classic car owners and enthusiasts will unite at the Downtown Lincolnton May Cruise-In on Sunday, May 1, 2011, between 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. The semi-annual event attracts over 300 classic cars, including a wide range from hot-rods to American muscle to classic cruisers. The Downtown Development Association of Lincolnton and Holy Cross Lutheran Church partner to host the event, which is open to all cars and trucks manufactured in or before 1974. The family friendly event closes down East Main Street between Court Square and Laurel Street and is open to the public and free for spectators.

For more information on this event, please contact the Downtown Development Association at 704.736.8915 or 114 E Main Street.

Alive After Five now on Fridays

The Downtown Development Association of Lincolnton has announced the schedule for the 2011 Alive After Five Summer Concert Series. The series will take place on a NEW DAY... Friday evenings, and at a NEW TIME...7:00 p.m.

"We are really excited about this year’s Alive After Five concert series. We hope having the concerts on Friday evenings will draw a larger crowd and give families a fun way to start their weekend," said Crystal Gettys, Chair of the Downtown Development Association.

The concerts are held on the fourth Friday of each month, April through August {with the exception of April, due to Good Friday falling on the fourth Friday}, from 7:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. on the Court Square at East Main Street in downtown Lincolnton. The events are free and open to the public. Lawn chairs are encouraged, but no coolers will be allowed.

Alive After Five Summer Concert Series Schedule:

April 29 – The Extraordinaires (Beach/Variety)

May 27- Another Lost Year (Rock)

June 24 – Fantastic Shakers (Beach/Variety)

July 22 – Matt Walsh (Blues)

August 26 – Ocean Boulevard (Beach)

2011 Hog Happenin' Volunteers Needed

With only 43 days left until Lincolnton's 11th annual Hog Happenin', the City of Lincolnton and the Downtown Development Association are busy putting all the final details together for the BBQ & Biker Fest...and we need your HELP!

If you are interested in Volunteering at this family fun event, please contact the Downtown Development Association of Lincolnton at 704.736.8915 or volunteer@downtownlincolnton.org

Artwork for the 2011 Art Crawl done by Local Artist

Painting by Lincolnton Artist Laurie Bostian
of Personal Artist Studio & Gallery

The 2011 Art Crawl Downtown Lincolnton featured over 80 local artists, including downtown's very own Laurie Bostian, owner of Personal Artist Studio & Gallery. Bostian was clearly inspired by our historic downtown when she painted this vibrant scene for the 2011 Art Crawl's artwork. The artwork was used on all the event's promotional items, including posters, fliers and t-shirts.

Bostian, who specializes in portraits, was born in Sugar Tit, South Carolina and raised in North Carolina, so her southern roots have influenced her greatly. She graduated from Appalachian State University in1994. After teaching Kindergarten and First Grade, she left education for awhile and had two beautiful and very entertaining boys! She worked her way back into the art field and gradually combined her two passions- art and teaching, which is what the Personal Artist Studio & Gallery is all about.

We will miss Laurie when she closes her studio doors at the end of May...But don't worry...You will still be able to find her in downtown. She will be teaching classes a couple nights a week at the Lincoln Cultural Center. Be sure to check out the Art Camp she will be teaching this summer.

Bostian has turned the Art Crawl painting and other Lincolnton historical sites into prints that can be purchased for as little as $10. Framed pieces start at $175. Note cards of the paintings are sold as a set for just $10 and can be purchased at the Lincoln County/Lincolnton Chamber of Commerce. For more information on the unframed and framed prints, please contact Laurie by visiting her at Personal Artist Studio & Gallery. Art Crawl T-shirts can still be purchased for $10 at the Lincoln Cultural Center or the Business and Community Development Office.

Crowds flock to Downtown Lincolnton for the 2011 Art Crawl

Photo by Melaney Dawn Crouse Photography

The second annual Art Crawl Downtown Lincolnton, which took place on March 18, 2011, from 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., was a huge success! The event was sponsored by First Federal Savings Bank and was a collaboration between a handful of downtown organizations, including: the Arts Council of Lincoln County, Downtown Development Association of Lincolnton, Lincolnton-Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce, Lincoln Cultural Center, and Lincoln County Historical Association.

Artists were paired with merchants in downtown Lincoln who transformed their buildings into mini art galleries. The event featured nearly 40 participating businesses and more than 85 artists from Lincoln County that include potters, photographers, wood turners, poets, musicians, bead artists, folk artists, soap makers, sculptors, and so many more. The event included fun, food, music, and art which in turn brought over 1,000 spectators into our historic downtown.

Thank you to all the businesses and artists that participating in the event. The event could not have been such a wonderful success without each and every one of you. We look forward to seeing you at next year’s Art Crawl Downtown Lincolnton!

Shop 'Til You Drop At Downtown Lincolnton's Spring Fling

The Downtown Development Association of Lincolnton {DDA} is blossoming with excitement as they put the final touches on this weekend's Spring Fling!

Come join the DDA this Saturday, April 16, from 10 am-4 pm, as downtown Lincolnton welcomes spring with a shopping event. Spring Fling is an event where existing downtown retailers, along with craft vendors, home and garden merchants, artists, and many others will be set up along the sidewalks of downtown for your shopping enjoyment. To make the Spring Fling a complete family event, a Kid’s Zone will be available with a bounce house, face painting, spring inspired crafts, and much more for the entire family.

There will be something in downtown Lincolnton for everyone to enjoy. And don’t forget to come into town early and visit the Lincoln County Farmer’s Market before enjoying the Spring Fling. The NC Cooperative Extension kicks off this year’s Farmer’s Market at 7:00 a.m., April 16^th, at 225 West Water Street in downtown Lincolnton.

For more information on the event, please contact the Business and Community Development Office at 704-736-8915, charitycarson@ci.lincolnton.nc.us or stop by 114 East Main Street, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.